BFIU freezes 55,000 MFS accounts over gambling, hundi allegations: Khosru

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has informed parliament that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has frozen or suspended transactions in around 55,000 mobile financial service (MFS) accounts linked to online gambling and digital hundi activities.

The minister disclosed the information during the question-and-answer session in parliament today (24 June).

In a written question, Narayanganj-4 lawmaker Abdullah Al Amin asked what steps the government was taking to prevent large-scale financial transactions and money laundering through MFS platforms linked to online gambling operations.

In response, the finance minister said the government enacted the Cyber Security Act, 2026, to curb online gambling. Under Section 20 of the law, online gambling has been classified as a punishable offence.

The provision criminalises the creation or operation of gambling portals, apps or devices in cyberspace, participation in gambling activities, as well as assisting, promoting or advertising such activities. Offenders may face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk1 crore, or both.

The minister said that following the enactment of the law, the BFIU prepared an intelligence report on online gambling and submitted it to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in May.

Based on the report, the CID has filed a case and is currently conducting an investigation, he added.

Amir Khosru said the BFIU continues to monitor transactions linked to online gambling and prepare intelligence reports for enforcement agencies.

He also informed parliament that Bangladesh Bank issued a directive on 28 May instructing all MFS providers to keep merchants and customers under continuous surveillance for possible involvement in online gambling activities.

Under the directive, providers have been asked to take immediate action and inform law enforcement agencies if any suspicious involvement is detected.

In addition, regular awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate customers about the risks and harmful effects of online gambling, the minister said.